News from Ireland - news from around the 32 counties

The family syndicate, who wish to keep their win private, will share the jackpot equally.

The $10 quick-pick winning ticket was for the Lotto draw on Wednesday, August 29, and it was purchased in Moran’s, Main Street, Abbeyleix the previous Friday evening, August 24.
[Source: Leinster Express]

LEITRIM

A tale of a missing dog named Aran took an incredible twist two weeks ago. After 15-year-old collie Aran was reunited with his owners in Scotland thanks to the Leitrim Animal Welfare Centre, it amazingly transpired that the owners had only recently got another dog from the Dogs Trust in Glasgow, a dog who had previously been homed by the Leitrim Animal Welfare Centre.

The story began on September 20 with the discovery of an elderly collie in Carrick-on-Shannon, and he was later brought to the Leitrim Animal Welfare Centre in Drumkeerin where the center’s manager Andrea Sharp said, “He instantly won our hearts. We thought him to be about 15-years-old and his back legs were very stiff. He immediately settled in enjoying lying on a blanket in the sunshine that we luckily had that week.”

It was discovered that the Collie was chipped and the process of trying to track down his owners began immediately.
[Source: Leitrim Observer]
LIMERICK

The jury in the trial of a County Limerick pensioner, who is charged in connection with the death of a lifelong friend two years ago, was expected to consider its verdict last Thursday.

Mary Meade (70) of Lissard, Galbally has pleaded not guilty to reckless endangerment and to dangerous parking outside Jim Corbett’s home on the date of a multi-vehicle collision that resulted in his death.

It is the prosecution’s case that Mrs. Meade, who was a “lifelong friend” of the deceased man, had parked her Opel Astra car on the wrong the side of the road and left her headlights on as she was about to return home.
[Source: Limerick Leader]
LONGFORD

Local taxi drivers have slammed the government’s plans for new taxi branding signage as another money-generating stunt.

Two weeks ago, Junior Transport Minister Alan Kelly welcomed the move, developed by the National Transport Authority, which will see semi-permanent taxi stickers applied to the front doors of all taxi cars.

It’s intended to be a cut-price version of New York’s yellow taxis, or London’s black cabs, aimed at preventing licenses being switched between different cars. It has been estimated the cost for the signs will be between $195 and $325.

Longford taxi driver Paddy Boyle described the news as “another gimmick for money.” While Minister Kelly said the change will “make it harder for rogue drivers to continue operating in the sector,” Paddy doesn’t believe it will make any difference.
[Source: Longford Leader]

LOUTH

Louth county councilors have decided to name the Boyne cable bridge.

It will be called the Mary McAleese Boyne Valley Bridge. But that’s only the county Louth name for it. In Meath, it is called the Boyne Valley Bridge.

The confusion seems to have arisen when Meath county councilors decide to name the bridge not realizing that Louth county councilors might take offense as half of the bridge is in Louth.
[Source: Dundalk Democrat]
MAYO

The High Court has lifted account freezing orders against the niece and nephew of Mary McLoughlin, the Westport woman who stands accused of taking $170,000 from a retired parish priest.

Ann Geary, Pontoon, Foxford, sister of Fr. Vincent Kelly (86), is claiming that Ms. McLoughlin, Corragaun, Kilmeena, Westport, befriended the priest and then misappropriated over $170,000 of his money.

Earlier this month, Mr. Justice Roderick Murphy made several orders on an ex-parte (one side only represented) basis, including an order restraining Ms. McLoughlin from reducing her assets below $67,764.79.

Freezing orders were also obtained ex-parte against Ms. McLoughlin’s nephew, Thomas McLoughlin, and against her niece, Tara McLoughlin.
[Source: The Mayo News]
MEATH

Kells Gardaí (police) is appealing for witnesses following an assault in the town Friday, October 12, where a man in his 40s received serious head injuries.

The assault occurred at around 11:30 p.m. at the junction of Bective Street and the Mullingar Road.

The victim was removed by ambulance to Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda, and later transferred to St. James's Hospital, Dublin. He has since been released from hospital
[Source: Meath Chronicle]

MONAGHAN

A man convicted of capital murder is to bring an appeal to the Supreme Court early next year against the rejection of his bid to be considered for remission from his 40-year jail sentence.

The Chief Justice, Ms. Justice Susan Denham, said last Thursday the appeal of Noel Callan, while it had been granted priority, was unlikely to be heard before January 2013.